The Complete Guide to the RACGP AKT Exam (2025 Update)

The RACGP AKT exam, known formally as the Applied Knowledge Test, is an essential component of your journey towards RACGP Fellowship. It evaluates your foundational medical knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and ability to effectively apply evidence based Australian clinical guidelines [1],[5].

When you pass the AKT, it confirms your competence in areas critical for safe, independent GP practice, including:

• Accurate clinical reasoning in common general practice scenarios.
• Comprehensive recall and application of core medical knowledge.
• Effective use of Australian clinical guidelines such as Therapeutic Guidelines, RACGP’s Red Book, and the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Essentially, passing the AKT reassures both you and the RACGP that you're ready to manage real world GP scenarios safely.

Understanding eligibility is your first practical step. To sit the RACGP AKT exam, you must meet conditions outlined by the RACGP and hold appropriate AHPRA registration [5].

You’re eligible if you:

• Are enrolled in recognised GP training programs such as AGPT or RVTS.
• Are an International Medical Graduate who meets specific RACGP criteria.
• Have completed hospital based terms and gained supervised GP experience before sitting the exam.

Confirming your eligibility well in advance helps streamline your exam preparation and registration processes.

Knowing exactly what to expect on exam day helps reduce anxiety. The RACGP AKT comprises 150 single best answer questions delivered in a total testing time of 4 hours which includes 3.5 hours of exam time plus a 30 minute universal allowance [1],[5]. The AKT is delivered on paper using a computer readable answer sheet [2].

Here’s a clear overview of the exam format:

• Total of 150 scenario based single best answer questions that reflect clinical GP practice [1],[5].
• Total testing time 4 hours which includes 3.5 hours of exam time plus a 30 minute universal allowance [1].
• Effective time management is crucial. Aim to spend around 1 minute per question initially, leaving sufficient review time.

The RACGP AKT exam focuses on four core areas critical for competent GP practice [1],[5]:

Clinical Reasoning:

tests your ability to diagnose accurately, manage priorities effectively, and develop safe management plans.

Medical Knowledge Recall:

covers pharmacology, therapeutics, preventive health strategies, vaccination schedules, and chronic disease guidelines.

Evidence Based Guideline Application:

emphasises correct application of Australian guidance including Therapeutic Guidelines, RACGP Preventive Activities Guidelines, and the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Data Interpretation:

assesses skills interpreting pathology reports, diagnostic imaging, ECG results, and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme criteria.

Mastering these areas helps ensure confident, evidence based practice throughout your career.

The RACGP uses criterion based standard setting, specifically a Modified Angoff method, to ensure fair and consistent marking [1].

Important statistics you need to know include:

• The 2024.2 AKT pass rate was 82.15% from 829 candidates [3].
• Results vary by cycle. For example, 2025.2 AKT pass rate was 79.41% from 1049 candidates [4].
• Understanding these statistics can inform your study strategy and expectations realistically.

For first time candidates, focusing on simple yet powerful strategies can significantly improve your performance:

Read each question carefully:

avoid rushing. Misinterpretation can lead to avoidable errors. Pay attention to clinical context and specific wording.

Manage your time strategically:

allocate approximately 1 minute per question initially. This pace ensures enough time remains for revisiting flagged questions you note on your paper.

Flag uncertain questions proactively:

quickly circle or mark difficult items in your booklet, returning later after easier ones are confidently answered.

For detailed strategies, see our comprehensive AKT timing guide.

Avoiding common mistakes is equally as important as having the right strategies:

Overthinking: your initial instinct is usually correct. Second guessing yourself can lead to errors.

Guessing without elimination:

always eliminate clearly incorrect options first. This increases your probability of selecting the correct answer.

Ignoring Australian guidelines:

international textbooks may not align with Australian clinical standards. Always verify information using Australian resources like Therapeutic Guidelines and RACGP Red Book.

High quality resources make a significant difference in your exam readiness:

• RACGP endorsed study materials and recent AKT public exam reports [1],[3],[5],[4].
• Murtagh’s General Practice, 2023 to 2024 edition.
• Therapeutic Guidelines, current edition.
• Australian Immunisation Handbook, current update.

Interactive study resources proven beneficial include:

• AKT aligned flashcards promoting active recall.
• Comprehensive question banks simulating real exam conditions.
• Structured notes clearly outlining critical guideline information.

Access these via our comprehensive AKT plus KFP exam bundle page.

Sitting the RACGP AKT and KFP exams simultaneously can streamline your preparation, but careful planning is vital:

Benefits:

• Efficient revision leveraging overlapping content.
• Better retention of foundational knowledge.

Challenges:

• Increased cognitive load.
• Risk of superficial learning without careful scheduling.
• Evaluate personal readiness honestly before deciding.